Lighting a candle: A Tradition of Compassion

Candles bring light to the darkness. They can bring warmth to a room, and brighten the mood. For us at Pinky Swear Foundation, lighting a candle represents something deeper. 

While providing financial and emotional assistance is central to our work, there is a tradition deeply rooted in our culture that highlights the heart of our organization: lighting a candle and pausing to acknowledge the families who are facing unimaginable hardships.

Every week, during our team meetings, we take a moment to light a candle. It is not just a simple flicker of light, but a powerful symbol of hope, compassion, and solidarity. We pause and say the names of children who have relapsed, are living with cancer, or are bravely facing the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Sometimes, we also acknowledge family members or loved ones going through other difficult circumstances, whether it is a personal loss or a tough life experience of their own.

The tradition of lighting a candle reminds us of the real people behind the statistics and stories we share. These are families who are facing overwhelming obstacles, and we pause to send them our collective strength. Even when we cannot be physically present with them, we know that our thoughts, support, and commitment extend beyond the walls of our office.

This tradition goes back to the founding of Pinky Swear Foundation, when Mitch Chepokas, a young boy battling bone cancer, asked his dad to pinky swear promise to always help kids with cancer, even after he was gone. Mitch’s spirit of caring for others in the face of hardship continues to guide everything we do. Lighting the candle and saying the names of those we are thinking about reminds us that every effort, every word, every action, matters.

Join us in lighting a candle for someone you love. 

We invite you to join in this tradition, even if you are miles away from our office. Light a candle, say a name, or simply pause and reflect on the children and families who are facing childhood cancer. Your quiet moment of reflection can be a powerful act of solidarity and support for family members of cancer patients.

At Pinky Swear, we believe that showing up—whether it is through a letter of encouragement, a donation, or a simple moment of silence—makes a difference. Together, we can continue to be a source of light for families who need it most.

Thank you for being a part of the Pinky Swear family, where every gesture of kindness helps us honor Mitch’s pinky swear promise and carry it forward with compassion. Share the name of the person you are lighting your candle for in the comments. ❤️